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Cookie SettingsBuoys are floating devices that are used to guide boat operators on the water and provide them with important information. There are many different types of boating buoys, and each has its own specific meaning. It’s important for boat operators to understand the information that’s being conveyed in order to navigate the waters safely.
In this article, find out what different types of boating buoys mean in Canada.
Lateral buoys are used to mark which side of a channel boat operators should use when going upstream in order to avoid collisions and hazards.
Port hand buoys are coloured green and marked with odd numbers. Boat operators should keep them on their port (left) side when traveling upstream.
Starboard hand buoys are coloured red and marked with even numbers. Boat operators should keep them on their starboard (right) side when going upstream.
Bifurcation buoys mark the point where a channel splits into two and indicates the preferred channel for boats heading upstream. Port bifurcation buoys are green with one horizontal red band and indicate that the preferred channel is on the starboard (right) side of the buoy. Starboard bifurcation buoys are red with one horizontal green band and indicate that the preferred channel is on the port (left) side of the buoy.
Fairway buoys have vertical red and white stripes and indicate safe water.
Isolated danger buoys mark a hazard surrounded by navigable water. They are black with one horizontal red band.
Cardinal buoys are black and yellow buoys that indicate the safest or deepest water using the cardinal points of a compass (north, south, east and west).
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Special buoys provide boat operators with specific information that is not usually related to navigation.
Anchorage buoys are yellow with black anchor symbols. They mark the perimeter of an anchorage area.
Mooring buoys are used to secure vessels. Their top third is orange and the rest is white.
Cautionary buoys are yellow buoys that mark danger areas (military exercise areas, underwater structures, areas with no safe channel, etc.)
Hazard buoys mark hazards such as rocks or turbulent waters. These buoys are white with orange bands and an orange diamond symbol.
Keep-out buoys mark areas where boats are prohibited. These buoys are white with orange bands and an orange diamond containing a cross.
Control buoys mark areas where boats are restricted and must obey specific rules. These buoys are white with orange bands and an orange circle symbol.
Information buoys provide information for boat operators. These buoys are white with orange bands and an orange square symbol.
Diving buoys mark areas where diving activities are currently underway. These buoys are white and sport a red flag with a diagonal white stripe.
Swimming buoys are white buoys that mark the perimeter of a swimming area.
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